By Andrew Irumba
Kampala: Maj.Gen.(rtd) Waswa Kasirye Ggwanga, who breathed his last on Tuesday June 9 2020, on Heroes’ day, at Nakasero Hospital Kampala, is a veteran bush war hero. He will be laid to rest today at his ancestral home in Busujju, Mityana District at 10am, in what Army termed as ‘Scientific’ burial ceremony, where only 50 close relatives and amry officials will be allowed to attend.
Ggwanga had been admitted at the facility to receive specialized medical operation that was conducted and spent several days unconscious under Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
His Childhood & Education Career
Major General Kasirye Ggwanga was born on January 1, 1952 in Mubende District to a father who was a hunter and farmer. He grew up in Mubende town which was dominated by Indians. He was a very stubborn and clever young boy, who sold puppies to get school fees for his Education. However, his poor parents also helped him here and there.
His Education journey began at Katakala Primary School, and then went to Kibuli Secondary School for his ‘0’-Level Education.
His Military Career
When he finished Senior 4 in 1972, Ggwanga joined the Uganda Army. After finishing his initial training in the Uganda Army, he was posted to Arua in the West Nile Sub-Region to serve as a map reader up to 1977. He was later promoted to the position of Artillery Officer in 1978, and the following year, he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant.
When Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) invaded Uganda in April 1978, captured Kampala and deposed Idi Amin Dada, the then powerless Kasirye Gwanga surrendered and was taken to Tanga, Tanzania, as a prisoner of war number 17341.
In June 1980, the President at that time, Godfrey Bikongwa Binaisa negotiated with Tanzania and all Uganda’s political prisoners were returned. However, upon their arrival, they were first locked up in Maluku Prison in Mbale District.
Later, they were moved to Kirinya Prisons, Jinja District, fortunately on 7 October 1981, the first batch was released and Kasirye Ggwanga was among those.
However, three months later after his release, Kasirye Gwanga was put on the most wanted list following the attack of army barracks at Mengo Lubiri by the Uganda Freedom Army (UFA) rebels, who were led by Andrew Kayiira Lutakome. This was because the government in power at the time, led by Milton Obote of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) mistakenly thought that the recently released prisoners (former Idi Amin soldiers) were involved in the attack, and Ggwanga was suspected to be among the key plotters.
As a way of attracting his attention, his elder brother, Lieutenant James Kasirye, who was a military pilot based at Nakasongola Military Air Base was brutally arrested, tortured and killed, after he refused to ‘cooperate’ and reveal where his young brother Kasirye Ggwanga was hiding.
While in hiding, Ggwanga worked as a maize miller, however when his brother was killed, he vowed to avenge and came out from hiding. He then joined the UFA rebels with the ultimate mission of revenging against those who killed his brother.
In 1985, Ggwanga left UFA and joined the National Resistance Army, (NRA) led by then rebel leader Yoweri Museveni, which would later capture power on January, 26, 1986. During the drive to capture Kampala, Kasirye Ggwanga commanded a 120mm Artillery unit.
Between 1986 and 2005, he served in several roles including as director of stores in the UPDF and LCV Chairman for Mubende District.
While at the rank of Brigadier, on 31 January 2005, Ggwanga asked to be retired from the UPDF so he could join politics, he vied and won as Mubende District Chairman LCV, which title he refused and created his own ‘Governor’. However, after his term in Mubende, he asked to be re-instated again into the army. The UPDF top leadership allowed him to rejoin and renewed his contract for five more years. In March 2018, he was promoted to Major General and it’s the same year he retired from active military life. He then moved to his country home in Mityana where he has been living. RIP
